Cell viability

Vaping liquids are composed of chemicals. Exposing cells to chemicals can cause damage that reduces their viability. Viability values ​​below certain threshold indicate non-negligible toxicity of the product. Scientific researches show that the aromatic component can influence the toxicity of vaping products.

Viability was analyzed through the exposition of both lung cells (pulmonary epithelium) and blood vessels (vascular endothelium) to the vapor of e-liquid.

To give a meaning to the obtained results, two controls were included:

cells that were not exposed to vapor, indicated in the chart as ‘Control’;

cells treated with the vapor of Traditional Base, thus a product without the aromatic component.

The values are expressed as a percentage of the Control. Therefore, the Control will assume the value of 100% while the value the Sample can assume can be higher than, less than or equal to the Control.

TRUSTiCERT endorses only the products that result values above 70%.

Vascular

Pulmonary

Functional damage

Healthy lung cells form strong bonds between them, creating a barrier that allows the lung tissue to function properly. Exposing cells to toxic substances can damage this barrier.

To give a meaning to the obtained results, two controls were included:

cells that were not exposed to vapor, indicated in the chart as ‘Control’;

cells treated with the vapor of Traditional Base, thus a product without the aromatic component.

The functionality of the barrier is measured as the resistance to current passing after exposure to vapor, and compared in percentage to the value before exposure.

Therefore, a value of 100% indicates that there were no changes in the integrity of the barrier; a higher value indicates that the cells have continued their physiological growth inadhesion. A value below 100% indicates that the barrier was damaged.

TRUSTiCERT endorses only the products that result values not lower than 90%.

Inflammatory response

Exposing cell to toxic substances generates an inflammatory response, that produces specific molecules activating the cells of the immune system able to respond to the damage.

The test measures the production of IL-8, an important inflammatory mediator.

The inflammatory response was analyzed by exposing both lung cells (pulmonary epithelium) and blood vessels (vascular endothelium) to the vapor of e-liquid.

To give a meaning to the obtained results, two controls were included:

cells that were not exposed to vapor, indicated in the chart as ‘Control’;

cells treated with the vapor of Traditional Base, thus a product without the aromatic component.

TRUSTiCERT endorses only the products that result values not higher that the double of the control.

Vascular

Pulmonary

Chemical testing

In the vapor generated by the liquid, many potentially dangerous chemicals are searched and quantified, including all those indicated by the strict European legislation (2014/40/EU).

The 22 substances shown here belong to 5 categories:

Glycols: very simple organic molecules, often heavy and viscous, generally toxic for ingestion;

Aldehydes: characterized by the functional carbonyl group (CHO), they are often scented substances normally present in nature, the simplest can have a significant toxicity;

Heavy metals: known to be highly toxic and for their ability to accumulate in the body, they are very common in small quantities;

VOCs or volatile organic compounds: substances of different nature and composition, sharing the property of being volatile at ambient temperature and accumulating in closed environments;

Nitrosamines: organic compounds containing a nitrous group, include some of the most carcinogenic substances, typically found in cigarette smoke.

The test results are compared with the standard exposure limits, in general: the smaller the quantity detected, the more harmless is the analyzed steam.

TRUSTiCERT endorses only the products that do not exceed the exposure limits set by the standardization bodies.

Chemical testing are on going: the results will be published as soon as available. Come back soon!